Educational appliance



Jan. 15, 1929- M. s. GLEASQN EDUCATIONAL APPLIANCE Filed Dec. 17'. 19266 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR' 1112:1100 (flea/5'01:

BY H!5 ATTORN EY Jan. 15, 1929.

M. S. GLEASON EDUCATIONAL APPLIANCE Filed Dec. 17, 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 4M R Q INVENTOR:

' Q Q Mmaalg. 67w Q1 BYHIS ATTORNEY Jan. 15, 1929.

M. s. GLEASON EDUCATIONAL APPLIANCE Filed Dec. 17, 7192s 6 $h9ets-Sheei;5

; INVEN TQR:

6 Sheets- Sheet 6 M. S. GLEASON EDUCATIONAL APPLIANCE Filed Dec. 17,1926 INVENTdH Michael! Gleaxm,

Jan. 15, 1929.

BY HIS ATTORNEY Fat-exited an.

UNITED STATES MICHAEL s. Gnnnson, on NEW YORK, ii. 1., Assmnon "m nowmnnS. onmsom. on

,NEW YORK, N. Y.

EDUCATIONAL APPLIANCE.

Application filed December 17, 1926. Serial NO. 1555379.

My improvement relates to educational appliances. one object being: tofacilitate the teaching of addition and subtraction to heuinncrs, byprovidizig mechanical means of ascertaining the correctness orii'icorrcctncss of solutions of problems invol any two of the cleycnfundamental values (l to 10, both inclusive, hy allordin the zest of amics iniin'amc to the PI'C'L it; of deteriniir inn cori'oct wriitions,thereby promoting ahilitv to arrive at coirect solutions by deduction,and awakeiiiirc' interest in intcl lectnal problems by facilitatingacquisition of knowxedge. 7

To this end the invention consists in the specific construction,combination, and arrangement oi parts and appurtenances dc- :--;crihedand claimed, whereby these and othm' des' ale results are attained,distinctivc fo l-us heinp; the means hy wh ch a problem of addit on orone of snhtraction-is solved through the operation olindica'ors settingthe problem; the means counting Wl-l'l] the indicators; and the means bywhich the obtaining of the correct solution results in the means bywhich this ecpiivalence results in the manifi 1031 of a signal upon theoperation oi a trip lever which cannot otherwise cause the signal to heobserved, and the nioai'is by which the nature of the opera tion,.whcthcr addition or subtraction, is visually idicaiciil to theoperator, all as hcrcimi'flcr fully set forth.

In the conipanyingg drawings I illusirate a practical. cmlgiodinicnt olthe cs :niltl of my invention and contrivance iaptcd to the productionoi a practical *icrcial commodity in the form of a toy u althouizh [donot limit myself to al t1 1 and cmistrnction of parts and appurlcnanccisheroin shown by way oi cxcin iiiicalion, since chungcs in minor dc mayhe made, and ciiuivulcni' mechani- ,licnts resorted to, with similarrcand without departing from the spirit inicnt of my invention. Viithth' uniilerstandiin F 'ili'u 'l is a front ole .ition of my appatan is 2is an ch-Nation of the right hand end thereof,

:3 an enlarged top view of the ap' Lilli the cover plate removed.

cami- Fig. 4 is an elevation oi the operative parts taken upon plane ofline Jr-4, Fig. 3, with the operative parts in the position occupied butnot disclosed in Fig. 1, otherwise than through the sight. openings inthe front plate Fig. 5 is a transverse secational elevation taken on theplane of line 5-5, Fig. 4; y i

Fig. is a detail View of the signal or annonncin 9; device Fig, 7 is adetail View of the index plate;

liig. 8 is a V'lGW similar to Fig. 3, showing a plan of the operativeparts in a different position Fig. 9 is a rear elevation of theoperative parts taken upon the plane of line 9 9, Fig.8;

The three principal factors in my appa' rains are the initial-minuendnumber indicator plate A, the aclditiv'e-subtrahend indiplate B, andfthesolution indicator plate C, controlled respectively by manual means suchas pinions a, h, cro'tatable by extraneous means, as by the knobs 0,,b", o mounted in front of the plate F of the on inn, adjacent to thesight openings f, f-, f provided in saii'lfront plate for the display ofthe numerals on said plates A, B, C,- these knobs a, b, being the onlyparts protuberant fromtho casing except the end of the signal lever T bymeans of which the solution signal E is actuated. The sight aperture fin the front plate F is for the disp ay of the symbols on thearithmeiical prohlom indicator or indexplate. In this connection Figs. 1and 2 may be referred. to as illustrating, the simplicity of mycalculator as viewed externally, the protnherant parts being ieiluceilto a minimum and being unobtrusive.

The numeral indicator plates A, B, C are slidably mounted on parallelguide Ways G, G, (if ailixed to the rear side of the front plate F andbetween it and said guide Ways, although this means of support is not anessential feature of my invention, which contemplates broadly theslidable and parallel mounting of said indicator plates in closeJroximity to the rear side of said front plate F, so "that the numeralson said indicator plates may be viewed consecutively throughtheaforesaid sightopenings f', when brought into coincidence therewith;

Considering the initial-ininuend number indicator and referring moreparticularly to Fig. 4:, it will be understood that the taco thereofadjacent to the plate F bears the eleven fundamental numerals O to 10inclusive, in inverse order, or reading from right to left. The loweredge of the plate is formed with rack teeth a which mesh with the piniona in the bearing bracket a secured to the rear side of the plate F, asshown in Figs. 3 and The axle extends through the plate F to said piniona and is provided with the knob (1 The back of the plate A is formedwith a longitudinal tenon a which fits in the slot 9" of the stationaryguide way i, the latter being secured to the rear of the plate F.

A spring tension plate a is attached to the rear side Off the tenon aand bears against the rear side of the guide way G to obviate loosenessor play between the parts.

In like manner a longitiulinal tenon Z) on the back of theadditiye-suhtrahend number indicator plate B lits in a slot j in thetionary guide way G which is also atiixed to the rear side of the plateF. The lower edge of said plate B is formed with rack teeth 7)? to meshwith the pinion l) journaled in the bearing bracket Z2 which is likewisesecured to the rear side of the plate F. The arbor of the pinion Z)extends through the said plate F and has secured to it the knob b.

A spring tension plate 6 is attached to the rear side off the tenon band bears against the rear side of the guide way G to obviate loosencssand insure proper alignment of the plate 13.

This additive-subtrahend number indicator plate B is considerably longerthan the initiahminuciul indicator plate A and bears upon its faceadjacent to the plate F as shown in Fig. il, two series of numerals,reading from left to right, from 10 to O inclusive, the latter beingpositioned centrally on the face of the plate B, and the numerals l to10 inclusive, extending to the right from O to the numeral 10.

The solution indicator plate (l is slidably mounted. on the guide wayG", also rip;- idly atlixed to the rear side of the plate F and formedwi h the longitudinal slot for the accommcalation of the longitudinaltenou c on the back of said plate (l, a spring tension plate (f' beingattached to said tenon and bearing against the rear side of the guideway G to insure proper alignment of the plate C. The lower edge of saidplate (3 is formed with rack teeth 0 which mesh with the pinion 0ournaled in the bearing bracket 0 secured to the rear side of the plateF, the arbor of said pinion 0 being provided with the knob 0". i

The face of the plate C adjacent to the plate F bears twenty-onenumerals 0 to arranged consecutively to read inversely iironi le'lt toright.

The indicator or index plate P pivotally supported at p on the rear sideof the plate F, as shown best in Fig. 7, which represents a rear View ofthe indicator P and adjacent parts. Said pivot is positioned in theplane of the centers of the sight openings in said front plate, and theindicator consists preferably of a segmental plate on the trout surfaceoil which are the symbols plus, plus or minus, and minus, --,the symbolsbeing equidistant angularly as re latcd to the pivotand with the plus orminus symbol, i, intermediate oi the other two. Eiaid index plate P isformed with a tooth 7) adjacent to its pivot p, which tooth adapted toengage in a notch 7) formed in the upper edge of the additive-subtrahendnumber indicator plate 15. See Figs. -land T, in which latter the indexplate P is shown. as rocked. to one side by the shifting of the platell. and into such position that the symbol shall be visible through thesight opening in the front plate F. lietractile springs 72 attached tothe back oi the plate F and to the index plate P tend constantly tocause said plate P to assume the medial position shown in Fig. i, whileadmitting of its being rocked in either direction by the recipro 'ationof the plate B, so as to display alternately either the symbol -lor thesymbol through the sight 7', according to incidental prescribedconditions of operation. I

The enga gement of the tooth of the in dicator P in the notch?) occursonly when the additivesubtrallend number indicator plate ll exhibits atthe sight opening the numeral zero, in which position the symbol 1:exhibited at the sight opening as in Fig. 1. hen said plate ll is moycdfrom that position, either to the right or the left, the sides of thenotch acting on the tooth tilt said plate I to the left or rightrespectively, the tilting being completed when. the numeral 1 isexhibited at the sight opening after which the teeth 7) rides alongthetop oi the plate ll until reversal of the latter again l ingrs thetooth p and notch 0' into coiuciilcnce,--the springs p yielding to thetilting oi the plate l, and the passage oi. the plate ll thereunderwhile insuring engagement between the tooth and the notch whencoinchilent.

it, it are lonpgiludinal track rails parallel to the guide ways G, G,and rigidly supported at their extremities, as by being secured to thehorizontal members (Z of the transverse brackets D, the vertical membersof which are rigidly attached to the back 01 the plate F. 011 thesetrack rails R, R are mounted slides S, S. to which are con.- nected apair of links 8, s by pins 8 and s, the adjacent ends of the links beingconilill llhl nected at the medial or joint pivot 8* psitioned upon andforming part, of a post. .9", (see Fig. the lower portion of which isrigidly united with u eleeve .x' slidable on the rear end of arm Z ofthe signal lever L, on the forward arm 1" ,o which the signal device Emounted us shown in Fig. 6, said signal lever being fulcruincd at Zmidway between the rails It and It and on a bracket R rigidly attachedto and between the track rails Said lever L, being; swing able inuhorizontul plane purullel to the truck rails R. R", its horizontalangular position is detern'iined by its fulcrum Z and said sleeve 3*.

ln-terposed between the stationary guide way G and the truck rail R, andparallel thereto, a guard bur H, the ends of which are rigidly attachedto the ait'oi id horizontul nieinbo (Z of the bruch ts D. This v 'uurdbur H is formed with a e ot 72. for the reception of u stud sprotuberunt from. and perpendicular to the adjacent side of the slide S,said stud s also extending through the slot 27 in the shift lever Isuspended from a fulcrum stud a forming u rigid pert ol theinitiul-niinueml number indicator plate A.

A stud h. forming a rigid part of the udditive-subtrehend numberindicator plate able its position is at all times determined by theposition of the studs o and 7) and determines, in turn, the position ofthe stud 8.

At the rear of the apparatus and parallel to the track rail ll is anotler guard bur J, also utiixed to and between the horizontal members (Z ofthe brackets D and formed with a longitudinal slot for the reception ofa stud s also extending through a longitudinal slot in in the shiftlever K which is suspended from n fulcrum 7t" uuiunted on a. standard y"ullixed to the top of said. guard bur J. Another stud 0 also projectsinto said slot 71*, said stud c being utlixed to a. U-shuped arm 0rigidly attached to the solu tion indicator plate C. (see Fig. The shiftlever K. be ng: movable in :1 plane unrulhell to thut in which theindicator plates A B, C are movable. its 13 llon lb at all timesdetermined by the pot. Jn of the fulcrum 71? and the stud c, unudetermines. in turn. the position of the stud e. The function 01 thelongitudiimlly slotted guard bars H and J. acting through the medium ofthe studs 5 s, is simply to facilitate the sliding of the slides S. 8"on their rails R, R and they are not essential to the operation of thedevice.

The signal device E may be of any suitable nature such as a bell or itsequivalent, udaqited to sound or be made manifest when actuated as bythe lever T; Thus, as shown, said lever T is fulcrumed on a bracketplate 7' secured to the right end Wall of the casing. Normally saidlever T isheld in horizontal position against a stop f by means of aretract 1e spring a attached to its inner arm and to n stationary part,againstthe resistance of which spring it may be rocked to trip the levere on which the signal device E is mounted, when the two levers T, e arein the same plane. See Fig. 6 from which it will be that the signallever e is fuloruuied on the lower portion of the forward end oft-lielever L and is connected with a letractile spring 6' tendingconstantly to hold the lever e against a shoulder Z on the forward arm Iof the lever L. and inthe position shown in F igs. l and 9. \Vhen rockedby the trip lever T, shown in Fig. 6, a toe c on the Signal levercontacts with the udjucent portion of the lever L to limit the extent ofmotion of the parts, the retructile springs e, returning said parts totheirnoruml position when the trip lever T is released.

It is important to note that the relative position and arrangement ofthe operative parts hereinbefore described are as follows: The guideways G, G G- are parallel and so spaced with reference to "each otherthat the numerals on the plates A. B, C may be exhibited through thevertically aligned sight apertures 7. 1'', 7, Fig. 1, when 7 isequidistant from f and The pivot of the index plate P is so placedin theplane of the centers of the sight openings f, 7, that the symbols on theindex plate may be ex hibited through the sight opening ft whenvertically aligned with the openings f, f.

The track rail R is so positioned that the stud s is at all timesequidistant from the fulcrum stud a and the stud b, as shown in Fig. 5.The truck -ail It is so positioned that the stud 8 is at all timesequidistant from the fulcrum k and stud 0. The relative arrangement ofthe parts such that only one numeral as depicted on the indicator platesA, B, C, respectively, m be exhibited at' each of the sight openings 1",7, f and one and only one arithmetical problem symbol may be exhibitedat the s ght opening fi For which reason it prob- 1cm in addition orsubtiuction, as intillcuted at the sight opening 1' and u proposed eolwtion thereto are capable of being presented .in a view of the exteriorfront face, and the signal device will indicate the correctness of suchproposed solution in the manner hereinafter ex lained. For conveniencein description reference will be made to that arrangementof operatingparts by which the problem presented in a view of the exterior front.face is 01:0 and the proposed solution 0, as the initial position ofsuch operating par-to With this understanding,

llltl Lil in Fig. l with the sign J:

T that the rocking of the latter will trip and rock the lever (5 endmake maniit the signal device E. ll hen, lmwevcr, the 1 i153 s and s"have been moved an equal distance from their initial position a similarcondition prevails and the signial may be noted. The numerals on theindicator plates A, B, ll are identical in. size and spacing on (321Gbplate and 1cl.etively on the three plates see F 4t). ho indicator platesA and C can move in but one direction from their initial position, butthe imlicator plate B is mow able in both directions.

From the foregoing specific description. of the mechanism, the manner ofoperation thereof may be briefly summarized as tol- 10 vs:

Assuming; that the device is so adjusted, by manipulation of the knobsas, b, 0, to display Os all the openin s or windows 7, f the indicationwill. l e as is shown visi do at the window f as aresult of theadjurtment oi the slide B to its mid position as shown in Fig. The knobA may now he rotated to the right or clockwise to cense the le A to moveto the right to bring); an cesired number from 1 to 19 into view at thewindow- 7. If e number to he added to the number thus shown at thenppermos m window, the knob D will be rotated in a clockwise direction,shifting the slide ll to the right so to disclose at the window f thenumber to be adder to the number a closed above it. This movement of theslide 13 toward the right will cause the shilling oi? the index plate l?to the left, di. the si at the window f The 1' -a tion thus far is then:1. simple problem in addition, the nmnber at the window to he added tothe number siown in. the window 7, the sign at ,t" being; anaritliuiet'ical expression ot the problem. The word equal appearin onthe taco ot. the instru ment below tl rend. mnnber, or the mathemetieelsign of equality i'l'" preferred at the same place, leads to theexpression of the result or answer to be indicated in the lowermostwindow The operator now turns 0" in at clockwise direction fer enough todisplay in the lowermost window vha he be- U lieves to be the result ofthe addit' on indicated above. If he is correct in ad ust ment of theslide C, bringing the proper numerical answer to view, the operation ofthe internal mechanism as elready explained will establish suchcorrelation between the trigger mechanism 'l and the signal mechanism tocause the signal be made manittest when the lever 'l is depressed asshown in Fig. 1. ll, however, ti o adjnstn ent of the .e C is not coct,the sigi'iel mechamsm can not be operated and consequently the operat rwill know that his result incorrect. l a problem in snbt action iscontemplated instead or": one no addition, the

l d in a counter clockwise c; the sl dc to move to the l r rem is El ornnd position and the n l consecpientl r be thrown the sign 1nto heoperator will lhns adji the s ide ll as far to the left as l to view atthe window cessary to br. 11

l desired snbtrehend inln'iber, which of course as explained below ':annever be greater in p ire value than the mhuaen-tl number alreadydisplayed at the window f". The nmnipulation of the ensnver slide C willhe as before with amovement of the knob a in a clockwise direction.

As the indicator plates A, B, and C are moved from their initialposition (assuming a movement of the indicator plate 13 in mi samedirection as plates A and C, whereupon the symbol would be exhibited at7 to exhibit a probl i in addition and a solution thereto, the solutionexhibi ted will be corv when. the distance through which .ate 1 has beenmoved is e gual to the sum ll onccs through which plates it and h beenmoved. The studs (1 and Z) will hare been. moved from their initialposi- .1 l n throi 'i which The sides are ])i(1:]J( !llE!|l;ll.lilacwise, l s Willi thro :nh he movenu nt ot E t by t'uicruin 1: and 1do, l nm .u. u (trance from its initial nut in the d .Jcrtion ol the movnic o't plate (1 equal to one hill the distance throi gh whirl plate thas been moved on an application of the p 'inciple of plane thzt insimilar tria lee corresides are proportional. Since, r e cor cctsolution 15; shown. onl i v .ich plates A and B red from their initialposltion.

end a will have been moved ds 5: istances from their initial positionill!) lit) and, in couscqtwnce, the studs or pins s? and a will. againbe one a line perpendicular to the rails R and R, and cont-actualengagement of levers T and a can be made audthc signal device therebymade nianifes Conversely, when the correct solution is not shown thesignal device can not be operated (as in Figs. 8 and The operation insubtraction inall res spec-ts similar except that the plate B, move liron-i its initial PMSltlQIJ, in the oppdsite irection from thedirection of movement of the plates A and C, and in conseqiu-aice the sl ition arrived at and exhibited will be correct only when the distancethrough which plate Chas been moved is equal to the ditl'erence ot' thedistances through which plates A and B. have been movet as expressed in.the net distance from its initial position through which studa has beenmoved; for the movement of the tulcrum stud a to the ri ht will movestaid a to the right, while the inove-nient of the stud 5" to the leiitwill 11love stud s to the left, and point of rest of stud 8' being a distunes from its initial position equal to onehalt the difference of thedistances of the two plate movements. It is to benotedthat stud a willagain be in its init al position when the two distances the plates A andB are moved in opposite directions are equal. That is to say, when thesubtrahend number (indicated on plate B) is equal to the minuend number(indicated on plate A) in which case 0 is. the correct solution. It alarger subtrahend number should be shown without increasing the minuendcorrespondingly it would confuse the beginner with minuszero values. Toconfirm, therefore. the elemental conceptof absolute zero and tonegative the idea that from a boy with seven apples, for example, morethan seven apples can be taken away, the stop pin (Figs. 3, 4i. and 8),is inserted in the rail R to limit the movement of the slide S and thetoggle pin 5' in the direction of minus-zero values to their initial przero position, and prevent a position thereof indicative of a dilferenceless than Zero. The movement of the toggle pin is limited in thedirection of minus zero values to its initial or zero posit-ion by the.co-operation of the solution indicator plate C with the supports of theguide way G, as shown in Fig. 4. The subtrahend i11- dicator plate,therefore, cannot be moved to indicate a larger number than thatindicated by the minuend indicator plate A. The movement of thesubtrahend indicator plate from its initial position in a directionopposite to that in which the minuend indicator plate i may be movedfrom its initial position causes, at its inception, the index plate P toexhibit the symbol for subtraction in the manner above described.

This apparatus being designed for both at an initial-mimiend numberindicator plate, an additive-subtrahencl indicatca'; plate, a solutionlndicator plate, said plates being movably unarmed, manual meow; forindependent adjaistmcnt of the several plates, and an index plateactuated! and con trolled by one of said plates t'orindicotin-g thecharacter of the dew ed caleuatiem, sabstantiallv as set forth.

I In calculating mechanism oi the chain acter designated, thecombination with a casing formed with sight openings, each adapted todisplay a single character, of an initial-n inuend number indicatorplate having thereon a series of characters, an additive-sol traheudnumber indicator plate having thereon two series of characters readingin opposite dii ctions from an intermediate point, a solmion indicatorplate having thereon a series of characters of at least double the scopeof the characters on the first mentioned plate and reading in the samedirection, said plates being; movably mounted in parallelism, and manualmeans for the adjustment of the plates independ cntly of each other. V

In a machine for demonstrating mathematical propositions, a. primarycharacter member, a secoiularv character member, a solution charactermember, and manual means for moving said members through distancesaccording to the values of the respective characters thereon, includingan index device movable automatically inconncction with one of thecharacter members for indicating the character of the computation.

l. In a calculating device of thecharacter described, the ciiunbinationwith a casing,

and mechanism therein comprising movable in the signal means and themember are carried by said mechanism and easing respec tively.

6. A device of the character describech including mechanism comprisingmovable members that can be independently set to indicate aproblem andthe solution thereof a linkage operated by said mechanism on setting thelatter, a swingable lever coacting with said linkage, and signal meansco-operating with the lever to be made manifest only when the solutionindicated is correct.

7. A device set for h in claim 6 wherein said signal means is carried bysaid lever, a movable actuator being provided in relative- 1y fixedrelation to said signal means to make the same manifest.

S. A device of the character described, including mechanism comprising:movable members that can be independently set to indicate a problem andthe solution thereof, a signal coacting with said mechanism, and amember to render the signal manifest when the solution is correct, saidmember being spaced out of alinement with said mechanism. to beunengageable therewith when the solution is incorrect.

9. A device of the character described, including a pair of problemsetting parts a solution setting part a signal, a single memberoperative by the aforementioned parts, said member coacting with the si'nal, an actuator to make the signal man st, and means co-operating withsaid parts to setthe member to permit said actua tor to tunet-ion asaforesaid only when the solution correct.

10. A device of the character described, including mechanism comprisingmovable members than can be independently set to indicate a problem andthe solution thereof, a signal coacting with said mechanism, and amember carrying said signal, said member being movable by said mechanismto set the signal for manifestation of same when the solution iscorrect.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

MICHAEL S. GLEASUN.

